Technical data:

De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth

Designation

British biplane trainer, with room for two pilots.

Tiger Moth

History

In the 1920s and 1930s the De Havilland aircraft factory was very successful with its light aircraft, in both the civilian and military markets. The DH.82 Tiger Moth was specifically intended to be a military training aircraft. The aircraft was equipped with a new type of engine. It was fitted with inverted cylinders, which gave unrestricted forward view. The Tiger Moth flew for the first time in 1931 and was taken into use as a trainer a year later by the RAF. After the second world war production ceased, by which time over 9,500 aircraft had been produced. An estimated 250 veteran Tiger Moths are still airworthy, spread around the globe.

The Army Aircraft Factory at Kjeller was licensed to build 17 DH.82 Tiger Moths in 1933, followed by 21 DH.82As from 1935. The Army Air Force used the aircraft for basic training, instrument flying, night flying and as a bomber. One aircraft was fitted with a forward-firing machine gun. The aircraft were allocated to military units at Kjeller, Værnes and Bardufoss.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force Museum’s aircraft is a gift from the RAF. It was earmarked for the RNoAF Technical School at Kjevik for teaching purposes. The aircraft is of the DH.82A Tiger Moth II type, factory number 88210. In 1975 it was exhibited at the aircraft rally at Rygge and then transferred to the Norwegian Armed Forces aircraft collection. The aircraft has never been in active service in Norway and in the exhibition it is given the fictive number 141.

Description

The fuselage and wings are painted dark green. There are stripes in national colours on the top and bottom of the aerofoils, and on the rudder. The registration number is in white.